Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Below you will find this week’s firmware updates. Hit the manufacturer website links for more details and download instructions for the firmware.

Nikon D90 Distortion Control Data upgrade – “The Distortion Control Data firmware upgrade is available for Nikon D90 and D5000 cameras only. This is used to correct barrel and pincushion distortion during shooting and editing. This may be loaded into cameras that support distortion control.” [Nikon website]

Nikon D5000 Distortion Control Data upgrade – “The Distortion Control Data firmware upgrade is available for Nikon D90 and D5000 cameras only. This is used to correct barrel and pincushion distortion during shooting and editing. This may be loaded into cameras that support distortion control.” [Nikon website]

Ricoh GXR version 1.13 – “In [A] mode, with configured AE lock and AE bracket; the shutter speed recorded in the captured image may be different from the actual shutter speed. Corrected the phenomenon when an Eye-Fi card is inserted in the camera and it turns on the power, it will take time to start up, or the camera will not start. Only with Simplified Chinese (language setting in the camera) : When you adjust exposure, a number shown in the right side of the exposure compensation slider in the screen may not show a proper number. High-speed movement of the Focus Ring. While pressing down the Macro button in the MF, the Focus Ring movement will become faster.” [Ricoh website]

Nikon has some solid DSLR and lens combo rebates going on right now. B&H Photo sent me a list of the rundown of cameras and lens, and they’ve put together kits to make picking up the right items a simple task.

The rebates are instant rebates, so there’s no clipping UPCs off the box and sending in 3 copies of your receipt. Just add the item to your cart and you see the discounted price right away.

Follow the links above to the qualifying cameras, then click the words “View Available Kits” (see top screenshot) that is just below the product image to see the lens kits and rebate amounts, which range from $200 to $400.

(Update: Note that the rebates are “stackable” in some cases, so you can save $700 when you buy a couple of lenses with the D3S and D700. Those kits are specified in the list as well.)

By default, B&H displays the retail price; however, once you add the “kit” to your online shopping cart, you will see the discounted price. Additionally, you get free shipping in the USA.

Some of you may recall the above time lapse video from the dash view of my Ford Mustang as part of my review time with the Nikon D5000. The D5000 offers an interval shooting mode that you can set up directly in the camera without tethering to a computer, which is required for the Canon counterpart. The original post is here and here’s the full Nikon D5000 Review.

I have had a few questions lately about the details of the settings I used and thought I’d take the time to revisit the setup here. [Read more…]

Photography Bay reader, Alan, wants a Canon DSLR, but also likes the swivel LCD found on other cameras.

Alan’s Question: I am looking at upgrading to a DSLR and have come to the conclusion that Canon is my preferred choice (namely the 500D). However I really am taken by the swivel Nikon D5000‘s LCD flip down swivel screen. Not only does it fold up back wards to proteck the screen it also offers excellent viewing of screen at strange angles. SO my question is does any one know of any rumors if future Canon models with this swivel screen feature.

My Answer: There’s certainly been speculation regarding a swivel LCD on Canon DSLRs. A few months back, Canon asked about the importance of this feature in an EOS customer survey. I think Canon is definitely thinking about it. I also think it’s very possible that it could be a feature in the next Rebel model. Would I bet money on that? No. However, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see it.

The Canon 500D / Rebel T1i is a great camera, which can be had at a very reasonable price now. If you really want a DSLR, there’s always a reason to wait for the next model. Most of those reasons, however, are not justified in my opinion.

I’ve used the the T1i and the D5000 both. I don’t think a swivel LCD changes the way I shoot anything but video. And if you want the camera for video, for most people there are better solutions than a DSLR. If you want a still image camera, I’d say jump on the T1i and don’t worry about the lack of a swivel LCD. Just my two cents.

For more on these cameras, you can check out the following resources here on Photography Bay:

Users of the Nikon D40 through Nikon D5500 cameras are probably aware of the fact that these cameras cannot autofocus with all Nikon-compatible lenses. These cameras lack a built-in autofocus motor and, therefore, must rely on the motors inside the lenses in order achieve autofocus.

Since the introduction of the D40, Nikon has shown a commitment to making lenses that are compatible with all its DSLRs by putting autofocus motors inside. The cameras listed below all share the same AF motor characteristics and, therefore, need the appropriate lenses: